Bike rack use averages 1,178 per month, Milwaukee bus system reports

Riders utilized the bike racks on Milwaukee County Transit System buses 9,400 times in the first eight months of the new service, according to a release from MCTS.

Without a sharp increase, the service use would fall well-short of the 200,000 annual figure touted during earlier debates about the purchase and maintenance of the racks. That number was one of the projections generated by the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin, based on the increased ridership reported in other cities that installed bike racks.

To reach that figure, roughly 16,600 riders would have to use the racks each month. The average from August through March was 1,178.

Usage has increased significantly, however. The March tally of 1,824 was more than doubled the initial number from the launch in August 2009. Even in January and February drivers counted more than 800 uses.

"It is unfortunate that critics are not willing to let the bike racks catch on with riders and bikers," said Patricia Jursik, a bike rider and Milwaukee County Supervisor.

She said a display of the rack system at the Wheel & Sprocket Bike Expo, over the weekend, generated a good deal of interest and several positive comments from college students who use the racks to avoid parking problems

"I believe bike rack usage will increase as we become familiar with them and learn more about how they work," Jursik said.

Alan Simonis, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 998, said the union drivers have noted more use of the racks and little disruption to their service. Riders have done a good job cutting down on the time it takes to rack and unload their bikes, he said.

Maintenance costs for the racks have totaled $19,000. The racks and installation cost $405,000.

Jacqueline Janz, the marketing director for MCTS, said the usage would increase in warmer months and through more promotional work. Bus company reps will have a display showing how to use the racks at local events throughout the summer.

Making the bus system more accessible to people who live two to three miles from a stop has been a major benefit of the racks, Janz said.

Anyone who bought that 200,000 figure was living in fantasyland. The number may continue to climb in the coming months but it will never reach the 16,000+ monthly average necessary for 200,000 uses annually.

Maintenance costs of $19,000 for marginaly used racks that have only been on since August also sounds like quite a bit.

Yes, the new trains will have bike racks.From a story in February, quoting a DOT official - "New trains would offer wireless Internet service, bicycle racks and a bistro car serving snacks and beverages all along the expanded Madison-to-Chicago route."

Being able to travel two to three miles off of the bus line to get to work is such a great thing for employers as you can expand the possible employment pool greatly. You can't just look at user-ship as the only cost/benefit factor.

Been using the BYK racks for over a month - got loading/unloading time down to ~ 20 seconds. Really extends the reach of the bus system - anything within a mile or so of any route is an automatic "GO" destination. Most all the transit drivers realize its a way to BOOST ridership - unlike some politicians who seem to always try to PARE service points off the system.Marketing should be using the promo tools at Brewer's games - route 90 is a perfect way to get down to Miller park - have the flexibility around that whole complex, and get back outta the valley after games - without the delays of a car or shuttle bus.

Been using the BYK racks for over a month - got loading/unloading time down to ~ 20 seconds. Really extends the reach of the bus system - anything within a mile or so of any route is an automatic "GO" destination. Most all the transit drivers realize its a way to BOOST ridership - unlike some politicians who seem to always try to PARE service points off the system.Marketing should be using the promo tools at Brewer's games - route 90 is a perfect way to get down to Miller park - have the flexibility around that whole complex, and get back outta the valley after games - without the delays of a car or shuttle bus.

This is great! Being able to travel two to three miles off of the bus line to get to work is such a great thing for employers as you can expand the possible employment pool greatly. You can't just look at user-ship as the only cost/benefit factor . . .